Press Release 4 July 2008
SPCS Delighted! Film re-rated R16 to R13
The outstanding Christian film
RE SPCS Press release sent earlier today
SPCS Delighted! Film re-rated R16 to R13
The outstanding Christian film "End of the Spear" has had its classification downgraded from R16 to R13 following a
successful appeal by the Society against the classification decision issued by the Chief Censor's Office. The Society
contended in its written and oral submisssion before the Board that the nature of the depiction of violence in the film
- medium level violence - could not possibly justify an R16 classification. The nine member Film and Literature Board of
Review agreed and in a unanimous decision, issued to the Society on Wednesday this week, took the view that 13, 14 and
15 year old children would not be harmed by exposure to the violence which formed only a small part of a compelling
Christian message of forgiveness and redemption that is told based on the "true story" of the missionary outreach in the
1950s, to the violent South American Waodani Indian tribe. A revised censor's note from the Board, alerts viewers to the
medium level violence involving tribal warfare that some might find "disturbing".
This is the second successful appeal by the Society in recent years involving a major Christian film that has led to its
classification rating - issued by the Chief Censor's Office - being downgraded by the Board. The Society made both oral
and written submissions to the Board to overturn the R16 classification of Mel Gibson's blockbuster film "The Passion",
and this led it to being reclassified R15. The applicant in this case was the film's distributor and the Society opted
to take a role as an interested party.
The Society has as one of its six objectives: the promotion of freedom of expression, within the boundaries of good law
that safeguards the public good from injury. For further information see our website www.spcs.org.nz
Ends